Dusty Rhodes was one of the club's many "characters" that have adorned our ranks over the decades. WW2 submariner, Brentford docks stevedore and penny farthing rider. He also found time to enter Masters' swimming events.
Dusty Rhodes presented the trophy to the club in 1976 and for many years it was raced-for in the height of summer over 880 yards. According to club legend, Dusty found it in a skip, polished it up and donated it for the race. Dusty died in the late 1980s. Dusty's son did visit for the race when over from Australia after Dusty's death. Sadly the club subsequently lost contact with the family and the race dropped off the fixture card after 1992. In 2018 the trophy was reintroduced onto the fixture card for the new 440 yard (400m) Tony and Jane Schiemann race that had been inserted into the schedule.
Last year's presentation - President Rob Ouldcott told stories of Dusty and the Rhodes Bowl, as well as thanking race sponsors Tony and Jane Schiemann
Winner of the 1975 Peter Pan Cup
Dusty was one of those amazing characters the club periodically attracts. He is remembered by those of us that knew him with the same revered but chaotic fondness as Mario McClarnon, Bill Phipps and, dare I say, Gordon Brodie. Dusty joined the club in the mid-1960s. He lived in Isleworth and worked as a stevedore at Brentford docks until they closed in 1972. WW2 saw Dusty a submariner in the Pacific theatre. At the end of the war he was attached to the Royal Australian Navy. I remember him telling me how, due to a shortage of specialist skills, the Navy refused to demobilise him and kept him out in Australia for some years. Something he bitterly resented.
Dusty was well known for his penny farthing, riding it in many charity fund-raising events as well as occasionally entertaining us on a Christmas morning. In 1981 he rode the penny-farthing over the whole course during the very first London Marathon. It was never clear whether he had permission or not from the organisers, not that such formalities would bother Dusty.
(recollections from Brian Thomas)
Dusty's penny farthing made many appearances for charity, including a Land's End to John O'Groats ride and the London Marathon
London Marathon, Dusty doing it his way
Dusty completed the first seven London Marathons. Four on foot, three on penny farthing.
1987 - the local press reported Dusty's bowing out of his marathon days
Maltese Tony and Eel Pie Jane have provided the prizes since the trophy was reintroduced in 2018
With 2019 winner, Will Luckhurst
Maltese Tony and Eel Pie Jane?
"Maltese", because Tony recently had the priviledge to aquire a passport from the country of his family's origin.
"Eel Pie", because Jane and Tony live on Eel Pie Island in the River Thames. Lucky for the Schiemanns, they can enjoy a regular swim even whilst the blue-green algae stifles the club's activities.
Tony and Jane joined the club in 2006. A retired accountant, Tony still undertakes work for a local charity. For many years Tony was a member of the Thursday morning cleaning squad (along with Gordon Brodie, Rosie George, Tim Oulten and others) who scrubbed away at the club room mats, floors, walls and windows.
Tony was elected to the committee in 2014 and succeeded Kirsty Neilson as Hon. Treasurer in 2016, a role he served admirably until he decided to retire in 2021.
2022 saw the race return after a two year absence. 2020, Covid. 2021, blue-green algae.
(report compiled by Brian Thomas)